2000 Insight 5 speed repair & build thread

[LittleBlackDuck]

Originally Posted by samwichse

ECU is under the passenger footwell. Pull up the corner of the carpet starting near the passenger door hinge and you'll see a black metal plate at a 45 degree angle, it's under there. Probably easier to tap the ECT in the engine compartment, honestly.

If you have an OBDIIC&C, it puts whatever is on the screen (the 8 display slots) out from the headphone looking jack in serial format, so you can take coolant temp, intake temp, vehicle speed, engine load, pretty much whatever as serial input on your arduino.

Sam

Only one word - OBDuino.

Implement and *******ise the code with your addons for grille control. Opens up a plethora of variables to use such as opening under prolonged high load, closing if idling etc.

Simon

[Daox]

Did a quick and dirty lower grill block last night. The ride in at 26F yesterday convinced me it was necessary as a temporary mod before getting the actuated block in place. Its extremely simple, just some cardboard zip tied to the grill. The whole thing took maybe 15 minutes to make and install including running back and forth for materials and tools.

[MetroMPG]

Any first impressions?

[And to all reading... I had to nag Tim to get him to do this. ]

[Daox]

The first tank has been filled up. Despite numerous fixes and issues during the tank, and the lovely cold weather sinking in, I still pulled off a decent 61.8 mpg. I was honestly hoping for more, but it certainly blows away any other car I've ever owned.

As for the grill block, no, I couldn't really tell. The temperature has been fluctuating too much lately to tell. One morning it will be 26F, the next 39F.

[samwichse]

The Insight: about the only production car that a ~62 mpg tank is a disappointment.

[MetroMPG]

Not bad, all things considered.

Get the clutch & kill switches in this weekend! Another 10 mpg, easy!

[Daox]

I put together my grid charger last night. I've had the pieces for a while now. I don't have any IMA light issues currently. This is just preventative. I still have to make the car side harness and install it in the car.

[MetroMPG]

Well you're several steps ahead of me. I got all the parts for mine, but never put it together. I sold the parts with the car. (Dunno if Minispeed ever finished it.)

[Daox]

This morning it was a bit cool at 20F out. I've been contemplating how I've wanted to install this heater I have. Its a bathroom electric heater. I tested it out the other day and it pulls 1350W. It also has a snap switch on the far side that will kick it out if it gets too hot. I figured it should heat the tiny Insight cabin up right quick! Well, today was the day. I literally just stood it so the exhaust was pointing up in the passenger side foot well, plugged it in and ran back inside. I left about 7 minutes later, but the chill had definitely been taken out of the Insight cabin. Not warm mind you, but it was not cold. 10-15 minutes would do a great job I'm sure.

The next step is finding or making some sort of better mount for it. I think I'd like to place it on the rear deck and have it blowing towards the windshield to help defrost it. That gets it out of the way if I have a passenger too.

[rmay635703]

Originally Posted by Daox

Its a bathroom electric heater. I tested it out the other day and it pulls 1350W.

I do just what your doing in my volt, except I run about a half hour and mine is only about 800watts.